Snap-switch.



T. LE R. PARKER.

SNAP SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED OCT 19. 1914.

Patented Dec. 14, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

T. LE R. PARKER.

' SNAP SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED OCT-19. I914.

1,168,685, Patented Dec.14,1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

THOMAS LE BOY PARKER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SNAP-SWITCH.

Application filed October 19, 1914.

To all whom it may concern:

, Be it known that I, THOMAS Ln ROY Penman, citizen of the United Statesof America, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State ofIllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSnap-Switches, of which the following is a description.

My invention belongs to that general class of devices commonly termedsnap switches, which are so constructed that electrical connection ismade in light systems by the turning of a shaft or post, the parts beingso constructed that the electrical connection will be maintainedcomplete until at the instant the parts are quickly separated with asnap, thus reducing the liability of-burning out the parts by incompleteconnections.

My invention has for its object the construction of such a device in asimple and effective manner, at a reasonable cost.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangementand combination of parts herein shown and described, and moreparticularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like orcorresponding parts, Figure l is a front elevation of my improved devicewith the front cover plate partly broken away to illustrate theconstruction of the dial plate; Fig. 2 is a sectional view takensubstantially on line 2, 2 of Fig. 3; Fig. 3 is a sectional view takensubstantially on the line 3, 3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a fragmentarysectional view taken substantially on line 1, 4c of Fig. 3, and lookingto the left, as indicated in the arrows nearest to the device; Fig. 5 isa view taken substantially on the same section, which for identificationwe have marked 5, 5 on the Fig. 3, but looking in the oppositedirection, that is to the right, as indicated by the arrows farthestfrom the device; Fig. 6 is a partial longitudinal cross sectionsubstantially on the line 6, 6 of Fig. 2, showing certain parts insection and other parts in full lines; Fig. 7 is a view showing thevarious parts separated and indicating their relative positions as thedevice is assembled, the shaft and the sleeve thereon being omitted tomore clearly illustrate the construction; Fig. 8 is a perspective viewof the device, the cover plate and dial being broken away to moreclearly illustrate the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. id, 1915.

Serial No. 867,442.

construction, and Fig. 9 is a section taken substantially on line 9, 9of Fig. 6.

In the drawings, 1 indicates a base of suitable insulating materialprovided with a cover 2, through which extends the insulated thumb piece3 secured to and controlling the rotation of the shaft. A. guidingsleeve l is preferably positioned in the base, and maintained therein bythe nut 5. The shaft 6 extends through the guiding sleeve, as indicatedin Fig. 3, the washer 7 secured thereon maintaining the parts insuitable operative position. A ratchet 8 is firmly embedded in the base,and preferably secured thereto by being threaded upon the guiding sleeve4:, the projection 9, 9 embedded in the material of the base, serving tofirmly hold the ratchet in position against movement. Superimposed orresting upon the ratchet is a sliding plate 10, having formed therein acentral opening constructed to cooperate with an eccentric cam hereafterdescribed, and two or more guiding slots 11, together with a projectingfinger or lug 12, formed to cotiperate with the teeth of the ratchetsuccessively, as hereafter described. Superimposed upon the slidingplate 10 is a spider 13, loosely mounted on the shaft and provided withlugs or extensions 14., positioned in the guiding slots 11, and thusinsuring the lateral movement of the plate 10, as well as its rotationwith the spider. Resting upon the spider and insulated therefrom bysuitable insulating washers 15, are switch blades 16 and 17,electrically insulated from each other by a suitable insulating material18 positioned therebetween. Suitable retaining bolts 19 extendingthrough the free arms of the spider and the switch blades serve tosecure the parts firmly together, with the blades being suitablyinsulated from said bolts as stated. The free ends of the switch blades20, 21 are arranged to closely embrace, and thus form electricalconnection with the stationary contacts 22, which are secured to thebase, and are provided with suitable binding posts 23. Thus, as theshaft is rotated, the switch blades will alternately contact with thestationary contacts 22, and then be disengaged therefrom.

Suitable resilient connections between the shaft and the spider 13 areprovided, so that as the shaft is rotated, the eccentric cam 24positioned in the central. opening of the sliding plate 10, will movethe plate along until the tooth 12 disengages the tooth of the ratchet 8with which it is in contact. At this moment the resilient connectionbetween the shaft and the spider, and its connected parts will cause thelatter to snap quickly forward until the tooth 12 engages the next toothof the ratchet 8. There being four of such ratchet teeth, it will beseen that the shaft will be given a quarter turn in each instance,alternately engaging the switch blades with the contacts, anddisengaging them therefrom, the connection with and dis engagement fromthe contacts being done quickly and with a snap. For the purpose setforth a helical spring 25 embracing the shaft 6, may have its outer endconnected directly to the shaft, if preferred, and its inner endconnected to the spider 13. In the preferred construction clearly shownin Figs. 3 and 6, a guiding sleeve 26 is positioned upon the shaft, thespring 25 loosely embracing the sleeve, and extending through theenlarged opening of the contact blades,

* with the inner end of the spring engaging a stud on the spider, asshown in Fig. 9. The outer end of the device is preferably as follows: Asight opening 27 is formed in the cover 2; a dial 28 is secured to andcarried upon the shaft quartering the dial plate, are the words- On andOH alternately, so that as the shaft is turned the words will bealternately displayed through the sight opening 27. A washer 29 isfirmly bent upon the reduced or flattened portion of the shaft 6 toengage the washer or collar therewith, the dial plate being preferablyconnected thereto, the outer end of the helical spring being hooked toor engaged with a depending finger or projection 30 upon the washer. Toinsure the rotation of the dial 28 with the collar 29, I prefer to forman opening or slot 31 in the dial plate, in which a projecting finger 32of the collar engages.

From the above description it will be seen that the purposes mentionedare obtained in the device described in a thoroughly practical andefficient manner. Most of the metal parts being susceptible or beingstamped out, insured an economical construction, securing at the sametime great accu-' racy in the fitting and adjustmentof the parts. Inpractical use I have formed the plate 10 of stamped metal, the severalopenings and projecting stud 12 being formed at one operation.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is 1. A snap switch, comprising a base providedwith suitable contacts, and means for making wire connections therewith,a ratchet member operatively secured to the base, a cooperating slidingplate formed with a central opening and a wing having a guid ing slotarranged therein, the said plate being provided with a second winghaving a tooth arranged thereon adapted to successively engage the teethin the ratchet, in combination with a rotatable shaft centrallymaintained, an eccentric'cam disk having a slot extending a part waytherethrough fitted on the shaft, and operatively positioned in thecentral opening of the sliding plate, a rotatable spider looselyjournaled on the shaft and disposed in parallel relation with thesliding plate having a projection on its under face located in the guideslot arranged in the outstanding ear of the sliding plate, switch bladescarried by the spider and rigidly attached thereto adapted to cooperatewith the contacts to make and break electrical connections therewith anda helical spring embracing the shaft with its outer formed with arelatively large circular open-V ing, and provided with diametricallyopposite wing portions, one of said wing portions having a guidingslottherein, and the other wing portion having a projecting tooth thereonand a slot therein, the tooth adapted to successively engage the teethof the ratchet, in combination with a rotatable cam shaft centrallymounted, an eccentric disk secured to the shaft and operativelvpositioned in the central opening in the sliding plate, a rotatablespider on the shaft and disposed in parallel relation with the slidingplate having projections on the under face thereof located in the slotsarranged within the ears of the sliding plates, switch blades rigidlysecured to the sliding plate adapted to cooperate with the contacts tomake and break electrical connection therewith, and a helical springembracing the shaft with its outer end connected thereto and its innerend bearing against the spider.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

THOMAS LE ROY PARKER.

Witnesses:

JOHN W. HILL, CHARLES I. Conn.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

